In Memory of Yoshi (1964 - 2020)

In Japan last year I visited Tsutaya Electrics with Richard. Yoshi recommended the store having noticed that I often went to Tsutaya Books. He had a great sense of style and an amazing taste in people and place. I always visited some shops on my Tokyo trips recommended by Yoshi.

A Very Unique Business Model

I met Yoshi (people formally called him "Fukushima-san") in 2005 and joined with him to head up RCT Japan's overseas expansion plans in Taiwan.

Yoshi explained his experience of cross border working at our first meeting in a Japanese restaurant in Taipei 101. He said like US people have their cowboy spirit, UK people have their knightly spirit and Japanese people have the samurai spirit. He recommended me to learn some of samurai's modern spirit although he also respected Chinese Confucius spirits.

I bought a samurai book after the dinner with Yoshi. At that time, I had to decide whether to establish a representative office and take charge of all local legal and business responsibilities instead of looking for a local company job.

My first impression of Yoshi who was a thought leader, an out of box creator and a doer. Three week later, his capital was remitted into a company bank account. He was the man made me an independent entrepreneur when I had no idea what it was. Yoshi also decided the company should be titled "禮商" by joint the spirit of samurai and Confucius - propriety, justice, honesty and honor (禮義廉恥）.

15 years flew past. The business network changed but the company's spirit of propriety, justice, honesty and honor has never changed.

Jan 25th, 2007 - Yoshi and I attended a workshop at JCSC annual conference.

An Outstanding Individual

I would say Yoshi was the ultimate "Work Smart, Play Smart" person.

He could lead people but also look after his people, including his people's families.

(Left two photos taken on 20060124, 20130508 | Right two photos taken on 20121207)

He had used to say "Family support the business" with me. Richard met Yoshi few times in Tokyo and acknowledged Yoshi was an outstanding individual who built up his business from his life interests as well as helped others to build up their life.

(Left photo taken on Feb. 12, 2007 | Right photo taken on June 03, 2016)

A Man who put Theory into Practice with style

Fukushima-san understood the value of contents marketing. He was the founder of RCT Japan and PeakPerformance Japan - with revenue generated by the sales of technology and apparel. The business units complimented together. RCT Japan positioned very unique - the one and only service provider of shopper traffic counting with physical retail store management.

He was a regular author in JCSC (Japan Council of Shopping Centers) magazine. Once he said "Huichi-san, an article needs 2-3 days for me to complete it. I have to read many materials and to think about it before writing." I smiled to him and replied "Yes, I know." I always appreciated the copies of JCSC magazine he contributed in my bookshelf although all contents were printed in Japanese, and I could understand only half of it.

A Man with Ski Addiction

Yoshi passed away because of lung cancer on July 10th 2020. I couldn't believe this sad news. Extremely shocked. He was an outdoor sports expert, a man with ski addiction. He always urged me to go skiing. In Jan. 2017, Yoshi was very keen to introduce the skiing tutors for RCT Taiwan's annul holidays in Hokkaido. He was enthusiastic to see people enjoyed skiing. His non-stop texts sent until my departure at Sapporo airport.

He was a live advisor of my Hokkaido skiing holidays.

A Family Oriented Man

In private side, Yoshi was a rock n roll karaoke singer, a kung-fu Bruce Lee's fan etc.. I visited his house once and met his wife, Mie and two kids, Makito and Manase, on Dec. 02, 2006.

Yoshi participated his children's school time. Once he told me, I could recognize my son's every classmate. He and his big son attended the same class of Karate. He said "I hope my son to learn a good manner while he needs to protect himself."

(Mie dressed Kimono waited for me outside of the house and helped me to dress up at that evening.)

On Dec. 03, 2013, I visited him and RCT Tokyo pals again with my niece, Victoria, and sis-in-law, Arwen, together. His natural fatherlike made him could hold hands with Victoria the first time they met without speaking the same language.

R.I.P. Yoshi

It was fortunate to meet you, Mr. Yoshiyuki Fukushima, and your spirit will go on with RCT Taiwan.